In a clear message to Gov. Tom Wolf, the state House voted decisively on Wednesday, Oct. 7, to reject the governor’s call for a 16 percent increase in the Personal Income Tax and the nation’s largest natural gas severance tax. This vote is the second time that Wolf’s tax plans have been rejected by the House.

Majority Leader Dave Reed (R-Indiana) called the outcome predictable, but also an important step forward. It is clear that broad-based tax increases for the budget just don’t have the votes necessary in the House for passage.

House Republicans believe that such a broad-based income tax – which is paid by workers and small businesses – would set the state back, reversing any positive economic gains made in recent years. Broad-based tax increases should be the last resort for funding government, and prudent, responsible budgeting should take priority.

In addition, House Republicans are concerned that a severance tax, amounting to an effective 14.7 percent rate, would stifle an already-struggling industry, resulting in worker layoffs and higher energy costs.

Appropriations Chairman William Adolph (R-Delaware) explained that the governor’s Personal Income Tax increase represented about 95 percent of the tax proposal, and the severance tax represented only about 5 percent of the tax proposal.

Fire, EMS Grant Applications Due Oct. 22

Local fire companies and volunteer ambulance services have until Thursday, Oct. 22, to complete their applications for the state’s 2015-16 Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program.

The grants may be used for construction or renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or repair of equipment, training or debt reduction. The maximum grant amount is $15,000 for fire companies and $10,000 for volunteer ambulance services. A total of $30 million will be awarded through the program.

Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Wayne/Pike) recently participated in the exit naming ceremony for the Corporal Bryon K. Dickson exit, which is Exit 30 from Interstate 84 onto Route 402 in Pike County. Dickson was killed during the shooting ambush at the Blooming Grove State Police Barracks in September 2014.

The resolution designating Exit 30 in Dickson’s honor was introduced by Peifer this summer and passed unanimously.

“We owe it to Corporal Dickson and those who knew and loved him to always remember his contributions to our great community. By naming the exit on Interstate 84 onto State Route 402 in Pike County, we will do that,” he said.